Lot 9400: Dave Scott’s Apollo 15 Lunar Surface-used Rover Map

Lot 9400: Exceptional lunar map used on the surface of the moon, labeled "Hadley Rille, EVA-III, 1 of 2," one page, 10.5 x 8, signed and certified on the reverse in black felt tip, "This map was used aboard Lunar Rover #1 during Apollo 15. July 26–Aug. 7, 1971, Dave Scott, Apollo 15 CDR." The map bears several of Scott's handwritten notations identifying various areas and geological features of the moon's surface, including "Alligator Chain," "Ridge," "Gateway," "Ghost Beard," "Diamond," "November," and most interestingly the craters named after the Wright brothers, "Wilbur" and "Orville." The locations of the "LM Site" and Stations "9," "10," "11," and "14" are also denoted within the map. In fine condition, with light toning to adhesive remnants to reverse. Accompanied by a detailed signed letter of provenance from Dave Scott, in part: "I certify that the Apollo 15 Lunar Rover 'Bearing Map'…included with this letter was carried aboard Lunar Roving Vehicle #1 on the surface of the Moon for three days during Apollo 15…This map was used for landmark recognition during navigation from the Lunar Module west to the edge of Hadley Rille and in emergency return to the LM in the event the Lunar Rover was unable to return for any reason…This map was mounted on the Rover throughout the three days of surface excursions to be readily available. To expedite recovery and use, this map had been temporarily removed from a book of 'LM Lunar Surface Maps' and attached to a Rover post with a large clip. The Map contains traces of lunar dust surface and was exposed to the temperature extremes, radiation, and Solar Wind on the surface of the Moon."
This map represents the intended path of the Lunar Rover on the last EVA of the Apollo 15, the first mission to use the vehicle. Their route was shortened in order to meet the liftoff timeline, and on this third EVA Dave Scott and Jim Irwin traveled to the ALSEP site at Station 8 before going on to Stations 9, 9A, and 10. During this time they collected over one hundred samples from the surface and performed extensive photography tasks. Once they returned to the LM at the conclusion of EVA-3, Commander Scott performed what is probably the most famous experiment to ever be conducted on the moon when he simultaneously dropped a hammer and a feather to the surface. They hit the ground at the same time, proving Galileo's centuries-old theory of falling objects in a vacuum. As a map actually used on the Lunar Rover during the final leg of Apollo 15's surface operations, this is a truly extraordinary piece of tremendous historical significance.
RR Auction's Space and Aviation Auction 463
Thursday, 22nd October 2015
Estimate: $25000-30000